Tonkotsu Ramen: Why Is It White?
Tonkotsu means pork bone. The broth is made by simmering pork bones over high heat until it turns creamy and milky white. Tonkotsu ramen is widely believed to have started in Kurume, a city in Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu, and nearby Hakata, in Fukuoka City, is known for its own style with extremely thin, straight noodles.
Video out Nov 3The 26-second video, with Hako. Follow on YouTube to catch it.
The 5 things to know
Why the soup is white
Pork bones are simmered over high heat for a long time, and the broth turns cloudy and white like milk.
Where it is said to have started
It is widely believed that ramen made with tonkotsu broth started in ramen restaurants in Kurume City, in southwestern Fukuoka Prefecture, about 40 kilometers from Fukuoka City.
Hakata style
Hakata ramen, from Fukuoka City, is typically associated with a creamy, white tonkotsu broth and extremely thin, straight noodles.
Why the noodles are thin
Thin noodles cook quickly. They were used to shorten cooking times for the busy workers at the port.
Where to find it
Tonkotsu is preferred on Kyushu in the south, but almost all ramen styles are available in Tokyo as well.
Quick answers
What does tonkotsu mean?
Pork bone. Tonkotsu ramen is ramen with a pork-bone broth.
Why is tonkotsu ramen white?
The pork bones are simmered over high heat for a long time, which turns the broth cloudy and white like milk.
Where did tonkotsu ramen start?
It is widely believed to have started in Kurume, in Fukuoka Prefecture on Kyushu, in the southwest of Japan.
Read the video transcript
Surprised this ramen soup is white? Do you know why?
Tonkotsu means pork bone in Japanese. The bones simmer until the soup turns milky.
Tonkotsu ramen is said to have started in Kurume, a city in Kyushu, in southwest Japan.
Nearby Hakata, in Fukuoka City, made its own style, with thin straight noodles that cook fast.
More Ramen Types on the way.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- gov-online.go.jpHighlighting Japan (Nov 2024) - Hakata Ramen
- crossroadfukuoka.jpCrossroad Fukuoka - Noodles
- japan.travelJNTO - Ramen
- Updated
- Video
- 26 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube. How we make these pages
